29/07/2013
Eight very lucky Sea Cadets aged 15 to 17 years old from units in Methil, Norwich, Nottingham, Ross on Wye and Monmouth, St Helens and Tewkesbury set sail for a two week adventure from Saturday 6 to Friday 19 July to explore the outer Hebrides and the island of St Kilda, part of an isolated archipelago 100 miles west of Scotland.
Cadets set sail on Saturday 6 July from Oban on Sea Cadets two 35ft Tradewind Yachts, TS Vigilant and TS City Liveryman. Cadets toured the North Atlantic visiting Canna before anchoring at the beautiful island of Eriskay. The following morning cadets set sail through the Sound of Barra, which is a designated site of Special Area of Conservation to protect the marine and wildlife environment. The cadets then sailed to their final destination on the remote island of St Kilda arriving on Wednesday 10 July.
Today, only a small team of Ministry of Defence workers and summer rangers live on St Kilda. In 1930 the 36 remaining permanent residents of the island requested to leave due to feelings of isolation and loneliness, moving to mainland Scotland.
Cadets explored the remote island, visited a small museum, swam in the crystal clear waters and hiked to the highest point (411m) of the island.
On the way back to Oban, they sailed through the Sound of Harris and spotted a large Minke Whale rolling and diving beneath their yachts for the best part of an hour; a magical experience. The adventure ended with a visit to the waterfront town of Tobermory.